The days following P's diagnosis and surgery everything was so heavy and hard to understand. We never once asked "why?" - because it didn't seem like a logical question. When something major like this happens that breaks your heart to the point where nothing makes sense (follow me here) the not making sense of the situation actually makes sense.
This has been the most growth-filled year our lives. We have been remolded and reformed in to new beings. We have a new cause we are passionate about. We have a new way to look at life (it is so precious and fragile) a new spirit, a new passion and a new, deep chapter in our story. Even though this is Pierson's heart defect and congenital heart disease journey it feels like it's ours because we are very much on his journey too. He doesn't go at it alone -- we're with him the whole way. It's a reminder of how our Heavenly Father doesn't leave us alone on our journey here on earth. None of us are created to go on our journey alone.
What the Lord has been pressing on my heart the last few weeks is that we are right where we are supposed to be. We began attending a new church a few weeks ago and we recently had a sermon about how God puts us right where we are supposed to be. To long for the times before we knew Pierson had a CHD, when we had only been in a children's hospital for tubes or from the comfort of our couch on TV for fundraisers is not right. Instead we should be standing where we are rejoicing and knowing that God carefully wrote in the plan for our lives that we would be right here. He created Pierson's heart the way He did for a reason. Even though it breaks our hearts, and the Lord's heart is broken that we hurt, He has a plan and has ordained our every step for this time and in this place.
It's not an accident that in an area that has 3 great children's hospitals that could have cared for Pierson that we ended up at the one that we did. It's not an accident that our pediatrician and P's cardiologist did their residencies together. I'm sure neither of them thought when they met all those years ago that together someday they would save a boy who was almost out of time. Both of these doctors are Christians - and we are blessed to have our son cared for by both of them - God had them right where they were supposed to be. Their professional friendship sent us to the specific hospital where P had his surgery which introduced us to Pierson's wonderful surgeon, whose staff encouraged us to get involved in the congenital heart group support group. From the congenital heart support group we were introduced to a couple who walked us through what to expect during and after P's heart surgery. Because of them I felt confident enough to talk to another mom in the waiting room a few days after Pierson's surgery while her daughter was having surgery. It's not an accident that we have met so many amazing CHD parents this year. It's no coincidence that we have been called to be advocates for congenital heart disease and to encourage others and minister to them and love on them. It's not a coincidence that our hearts have been broken by the Lord for this. This was all part of His plan.
As painful as it has been we are right where we are supposed to be and we are called to praise God in this place. We seek His will as to what we are to do to serve Him in this special place that He has placed us.
We have been blessed to meet some incredible people this year. I'm convinced that the greatest risk factor for being born with a congenital heart defect is having amazing parents. Seriously. These parents, truly incredible. We have met some of the nicest, most caring people ever. The CHD world is a unique place; A place where we're all supposed to be even though we desperately don't really want to be. We have been blessed by them whether they realize it or not.
The world may view Pierson's heart defect as a "fluke" but we don't. We know he was made this way for a purpose and God has a plan for his sweet life. God has used our little boy for his glory in so many ways already and we praise Him for this. Even though this was not how we would have chosen, it's what He has chosen for him. Our job now is to help him grow strong in the Lord and have him tell about the great things God has done for him.
People often ask "Is Pierson ok now?" The short answer, he's doing very well right now. The long answer: congenital heart disease is a lifelong condition and you never know what's ahead so in the meantime we live life and praise God for each day. We will speak of His greatness and help educate the community on what to look for in their babies and children so more lives like Pierson's will be saved.
It's been a whole year. And here we stand. Right where we are supposed to be.
As you praise God for Pierson, please remember our sweet heart friend David and his family. He has HLHS and has had a rough recovery to say the least after his Fontan surgery. Pray for God's healing for sweet David.
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| Our family watching fireworks on the 4th this year. |
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| What a difference a year makes! |
